COVID-19 numbers are on the rise in Tama County
Last week Tama County saw the highest level of increase of positive COVID-19 cases compared to the past couple of months with 17 new cases putting the county at a 6.3 percent 14-day positivity rate.
The positive case number over the past week is more cases that were seen in the entire month of June, according to Tama County Public Health (TCPH).
According to the CDC website, 53.9% of Tama County citizens, a county of nearly 17,000 people, are fully vaccinated. The level of community transmission as of Aug. 2 was at a high level.
The CDC is recommending in areas with substantial and high transmission, everyone, vaccinated and unvaccinated, mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread and protect others.
What we know about the Delta variant
Viral loads of individuals infected with the Delta variant are higher than others. This has been noted in both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
The Delta variant is more infectious. Even though some vaccinated people have gotten the Delta variant and transmitted it, it is a very small number. Almost all hospitalizations and deaths are among the unvaccinated.
Symptoms
People with COVID-19 can have a wide range of symptoms – from asymptomatic or mild to severe illness. This can include:
Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.
Persons who test positive for COVID-19 are recommended to stay home until they are no longer infectious
Persons sick with COVID-19 are considered infectious 48 hours prior to symptom onset until at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared and at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving.
Unvaccinated, asymptomatic contacts are advised to stay home to monitor for symptoms.
Vaccinated contacts do not need to stay home, but should monitor for symptoms.
COVID testing
With Test Iowa testing sites now closed there are Test Iowa at-home pick up sites throughout the State.
Tama County Public Health and Home Care is a pick up site.
Instructions for how to use the kit are inside the box (in English and Spanish), and at testiowa.com.
The test is a saliva based test and they are free to the public.
County public health advises community members to read and follow all instructions carefully. If a mistake is made results could be delayed. These tests are processed at the State Hygenic Lab.
Those using the at-home tests should not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum for 30 minutes before giving a saliva sample. Kits must be activated online and the test tubes should be labeled with first name, last name and date of birth on the label provided.
Those interested in an at-home test are encouraged to call before coming to pick up a test at 641-484-4788.
Vaccines
COVID-19 vaccines are available through TCPH. The vaccine is free of cost and the Moderna brand is being offered to those 18 and older. Local pharmacies and the Meskwaki Tribal Health Center also have vaccines available.